AN: About half a day early, because I don't have time tomorrow (I have 17 very large data sets to process). We're now back in the present day of this story.

OCTOBER 2017

MACGYVER'S RESIDENCE

It is generally accepted that in hunter-gatherer societies, there were distinct roles for men and women.

Men hunted, women gathered.

Now, in this enlightened day and age, we've moved past that.

But the institution of the male-bonding fishing trip remains…

'Fishing? Come on, man, that's boring!'

Jack shook his head at Bozer, and turned to Mac.

'He's talking crazy talk, brother. You in?'

Mac considered for a moment.

Normally, I'd say yes in an instant.

Fishing with good company's great!

My grandfather used to take me all the time when I was a kid.

Spending time in nature, chatting with friends, and there's something very satisfying about catching your own dinner. Or at least trying to.

Jack narrowed his eyes at his partner.

'Wait a moment…you up to it?'

Remember how I said normally, I'd say yes in an instant?

Well, yesterday, we got back from a mission.

And I came back a little worse for wear.

Fatigue, dehydration, a little light-headed from not eating…

Really, I'm fine now.

Mac rolled his eyes.

'Yes, I'm fine. Let's go fishing.'

His partner crossed his arms.

'Conditional on you getting medical clearance.'

The blonde agent sighed and pulled out his phone.

To: Beth

Jack, Bozer and I want to go fishing. Am I fit for this mission?

Mac turned to Bozer.

'It's fun. I promise.'

Bozer looked sceptical, but nodded.

'Alright, I'm in, bro, as long as Doctor Beth clears you.'

Right on cue, his phone chimed.

How are you feeling? Any dizziness or weakness? Answer HONESTLY or else.

He shook his head, smiling, and replied.

No dizziness or weakness. I'm honestly feeling alright.

Moments later, his phone chimed again.

Make sure you stay hydrated, and bring and eat snacks, at the very least, though sandwiches would be better. No running or swimming after fish or trying to reel in anything heavier than twenty pounds.

His phone chimed again as he finished reading her message.

Have fun. Hope you actually catch something! :)

His smile widened.

Thanks, Beth. If we catch enough for a meal, you should come over for dinner.

He paused for a moment after hitting send.

Though he'd of course told her that she, like Jack and Riley, was welcome at his place any time and didn't have to knock, she still didn't come over as regularly as the others.

Still trying to keep some distance.

I wish she wasn't.

He pocketed his phone.

'I got cleared by medical. Let's go!'

'Pretty long conversation for just medical clearance, brother.'

'And you were awful smiley for a purely business conversation, bro. Mixed in a little pleasure?'

Mac rolled his eyes and stepped past his friends towards the door.

Well, wouldn't be a fishing trip without banter.

Mac's phone chimed as Jack drove away from the house.

IF you catch dinner, I'll come over. I might even bring you pumpkin pie. I've just put one in the oven.

His brow furrowed.

She's making pumpkin pie, in the middle of October?

He typed out a reply.

Mixing up your holidays, Beth. ;) Thanksgiving's not for another six weeks.

Her reply came almost instantly.

Firstly, pumpkin pie is amazing and hence a perfectly acceptable foodstuff all year round. Secondly, it's a SPOOKY pumpkin pie for Halloween. I'm practicing.

Spooky pie? I've got to see that.

Consider it an incentive to catch some fish, then.

Doesn't work that way, Beth.

He hesitated for a moment, then typed another message.

You coming with us for Halloween? Bozer wants to know how many costumes he's got to make.

It took a minute for her to reply.

He's cutting it fine, isn't he? What theme is he going with this year?

He always pulls it together. He won't tell me. Never really does. Just tells me who I am and gives me a costume. You in?

He waited a few minutes for her reply.

Well, I can't turn down the chance to be part of one of Bozer's epic group costumes. I'm in.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, Jack noticed both young men texting, smiles on their faces.

He shook his head, smirking, and muttered under his breath.

'Young love.'

RILEY'S RESIDENCE

Don't worry, baby, I'll bring home the bacon. Or fish, in this case. Oh, gotta sign off now, we're here and Mac says it's time to cast on.

Riley didn't know much about fishing, but she was pretty sure that the term was just casting. Casting on was for knitting.

She closed Bozer's text, and pulled up another number on her phone.

To: Beth Taylor

Apparently the boys are going fishing. I've been drowning in testosterone all week. Wanna come over for a girls' day?

A minute later, her phone chimed.

Are we talking rom-coms, hair-braiding and painting each other's nails? Because I hate rom-coms, and painted nails aren't practical for a doctor. Nothing against hair-braiding, though.

Riley grinned.

Nah, I'm thinking more snacks and superhero movies.

Beth's reply was faster this time.

I like superhero movies.

Riley's smile grew more devious.

Oh, forgot to mention ogling said superheroes. Don't worry, I'll make sure we watch the X-Men reboots. ;)

Reading Riley's message, Beth groaned, cheeks pinking slightly. She thought for a moment, before replying.

The first time I saw First Class, I thought Mac might have left the Army to pursue acting, you know.

Riley's reply was almost instant.

The resemblance is uncanny.

MACGYVER'S FAVOURITE FISHING SPOT

LOCATION: CLASSIFIED

Mac's comfortable, silent contemplation was broken by Jack dropping a bottle of water in his lap. A second later, a sandwich from Bozer joined it.

He shook his head, grinning.

'I appreciate it, guys, but I don't need your mother-henning.'

They each clapped him on the back.

'Beg to differ, brother.'

'You'd never eat a proper meal without me, bro.'

He sighed and took a swig of water, then unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite.

'Did Beth put you up to this?'

The other two shook their heads.

'We just know you.'

'And we care.'

Bozer waggled his eyebrows.

'But don't think we didn't catch how your mind went straight to her!'

Jack scooted closer to him.

'Got a certain doctor on the mind, kid? Don't think I missed you texting all the way up here!'

Mac groaned, and taking his time, reeled in his line, checked the bait, and cast again.

'Look, she's a clever, kind, funny woman.' He paused for a moment. 'And yeah, she's beautiful.' He shrugged. 'Might be something there.' He watched the lines in silence for a moment, then jogged Bozer with his elbow. 'Someone else here was texting the whole way, too!'

'You, bro, don't have the girlfriend excuse!'

The other two men turned to look at him.

'So you're official?'

Bozer nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.

'Yeah, bro, we're official.'

Mac reached out and clasped his shoulder, grinning.

'I'm happy for you, Bozer.'

Jack shook his head, but he smiled and spoke without heat.

'She was supposed to be off-limits.'

'A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, when he meets that special girl.'

The older man nodded.

'Amen to that.'

Turning back to his fishing rod, Bozer smirked.

'Now, we've just got to get Mac together with Doctor Beth, and find Jack a girl, and then we're all set!'

The other two groaned. Mac punched Jack lightly in the arm.

'Turnabout's fair play, old man.'

Jack shook his head and reeled in his line.

'The worst thing is, you both have more functional relationships with a woman than I do! Me!'

Bozer shook his head.

'I dunno, man. Riley's got this thing about you and Thornton…'

RILEY'S RESIDENCE

'Do you think they're actually going to catch anything?' Riley looked up at Beth from her position crouching in front of the fridge. 'I'm wondering if we should pick up some food to take over for dinner.' She got up and faced the other woman. 'You are coming, right?'

Beth nodded.

'I more or less told Mac I would. And kind of promised him I'd bring that pie with me.' She gestured at the pie sitting in Riley's fridge.

Riley put a hand on her hip.

'Told Mac? Promised him pie? When? Spill!'

Beth shook her head.

'It's not what you're thinking. He texted this morning for medical clearance to go on the fishing trip.'

'And what does that have to do with dinner plans or promises of pie?'

'I'm not the only one who got news about a fishing trip or a dinner invite.'

'You don't have the boyfriend excuse.'

Beth smiled at the other woman.

'So you're official?'

Riley nodded, returning the smile.

'Yeah. Keeping it quiet, just telling those who matter, but yeah.'

Beth's smile broadened.

'Congratulations! I'm happy for you.'

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment.

'So, you think the pie will be enough, Beth? 'Cause if so, we've got time for Apocalypse before we head over…'

The doctor nodded, grinning.

'I'm down for that.'

MACGYVER'S RESIDENCE

Mac laughed as he lifted the pumpkin pie, decorated with meringue ghosts, out of the box.

'Oh, very spooky!'

Beth jabbed a finger at him.

'Mock it again, and no pie for you!'

Mac put the pie down, and raised his hands in the air.

'Woah, not mocking.' He grinned. 'Besides, that'd be cruel and unusual punishment.'

Beth raised an eyebrow at him.

'Don't they teach you to withstand torture in spy school?'

'Not something as terrible as denial of pie!'

From the doorway, Jack, Riley and Bozer watched as their friends served up the pie, exchanging knowing looks.

Later that night, Mac smiled as he tucked himself into bed, eyes on the little paperclip fish hook he'd made on the way home earlier.

There hasn't really been much of a change in fish hook design for thousands of years.

That's the funny thing about the passage of time.

Some things change.

And some things stay more or less exactly the same.

AN: The whole idea of going fishing comes from me reading the list of MacGyverisms on the relevant wiki and one of them being Mac creating a fishing lure out of something like a gum wrapper. That got me thinking about fishing, then I figured I've got to have at least one guys' day/girls' day story in this fic…and then this happened. My only regret is not incorporating Thornton, but I couldn't think of a way to have her come to Riley's girls' day- it seems too much for Riley to invite her over to watch superhero movies!